Abstract: The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for making a B-stage thiol-cured urethane acrylate elastomeric film are provided. At least a urethane acrylate oligomer, a multifunctional thiol, and a base catalyst are combined to form a thiol terminated B-stage elastomer. The thiol terminated B-stage elastomer is exposed to an ultraviolet photoinitiator in the presence of an allyl ether terminated urethane to form the B-stage thiol-cured urethane acrylate elastomeric film. In some embodiments the B-stage thiol-cured urethane acrylate elastomeric film is used for a soft actuator application such as a fluidic elastomer actuator application or an electrostatic zipping actuator application.

Abstract: Example devices include a fluidic device, such as a fluidic valve, including a body formed from a rigid body material including a fluidic source, a fluidic drain, and a fluidic gate, each of which may have a fluid connection with a chamber, or a portion thereof. The device may further include a gate transmission element, located within the chamber, that is controllable between at least a first position and a second position using a gate pressure received through the fluidic drain. Adjustment of the position of the gate transmission element may allow control of fluid flow through the device. Other devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic devices comprise a gate, a channel, and an obstruction. The gate comprises at least one chamber whose volume increases with fluid pressure. A high-pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a low-pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size. The obstruction controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on the fluid pressure in the gate. The obstruction induces at most a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with the low-pressure state of the gate, and at least a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with the high-pressure state of the gate.

Abstract: A method includes separately exposing selected portions of a first rigid substrate and a second rigid substrate to laser radiation, selectively etching the exposed portions of the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate using a chemical etchant and bonding the first rigid substrate to the second rigid substrate along a common interface to form a fluidic valve. The fluidic valve may be coupled to a fluidic haptics device, for example, which may be integrated into an artificial reality system.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic devices comprise a gate, a channel, and an obstruction. The gate comprises at least one chamber whose volume increases with fluid pressure. A high-pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a low-pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size. The obstruction controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on the fluid pressure in the gate. The obstruction induces at most a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with the low-pressure state of the gate, and at least a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with the high-pressure state of the gate.

Abstract: The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Example devices include a fluidic device, such as a fluidic valve, including a body formed from a rigid body material including a fluidic source, a fluidic drain, and a fluidic gate, each of which may have a fluid connection with a chamber, or a portion thereof. The device may further include a gate transmission element, located within the chamber, that is controllable between at least a first position and a second position using a gate pressure received through the fluidic drain. Adjustment of the position of the gate transmission element may allow control of fluid flow through the device. Other devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A strain gauge system includes a layered structure and a resistance sensor. The layered structure has an unstretched position and a range of stretched positions. The layered structure includes a multilayer thin film having alternating layers of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. The layered structure also includes a flexible magnet that produces a magnetic field. The resistance sensor measures a resistance of the multilayer thin film. The resistance of the multilayer thin film is lower when the layered structure is in the unstretched position than when it is in a stretched position in the range of stretched positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a fluidic device using a layered construction strategy may include (1) forming a first component for the fluidic device out of a first material, (2) forming a second component for the fluidic device out of a second material that is different than the first material, and (3) after forming the first and second components, forming the fluidic device by assembling a variety of components including the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic devices comprises a gate, a channel, and an obstruction. The gate comprises at least one chamber whose volume increases with fluid pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size. The obstruction controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on the fluid pressure in the gate. The obstruction induces at most a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with the low pressure state of the gate, and at least a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with the high pressure state of the gate.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. The fluidic device may be combined with other fluidic devices to form different types of logic devices g an inverter, OR gate, etc.). And the logic devices may be incorporated into an artificial reality system (e.g., as part of a haptic assembly). In some embodiments, a fluidic device includes a gate, a channel, and a wedge. The wedge controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on a fluid pressure in the gate. The wedge induces a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with a low pressure state of the gate, and a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a high pressure state of the gate, the second flow rate greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A fluidic switch (or fluidic device) is provided. The fluidic switch includes: (i) a housing defining a cavity with a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being larger than the first opening, the cavity containing an elastic substance, (ii) a channel to transport a fluid from a source, across the first opening, to a drain, where the first opening opens into the channel, and (iii) an actuator to apply a force through the second opening to the elastic substance in the cavity when actuated, the force to displace a portion of the elastic substance into the channel to impede transport of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: A fluidic switch (or fluidic device) is provided. The fluidic switch includes: (i) a housing defining a cavity with a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being larger than the first opening, the cavity containing an elastic substance, (ii) a channel to transport a fluid from a source, across the first opening, to a drain, where the first opening opens into the channel, and (iii) an actuator to apply a force through the second opening to the elastic substance in the cavity when actuated, the force to displace a portion of the elastic substance into the channel to impede transport of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: A fluidic switch (or fluidic device) is provided. The fluidic switch includes: (i) a housing defining a cavity with a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being larger than the first opening, the cavity containing a viscoelastic substance, (ii) a channel to transport a fluid from a source, across the first opening, to a drain, where the first opening opens into the channel, and (iii) an actuator to apply a force through the second opening to the viscoelastic substance in the cavity when actuated, the force to displace a portion of the viscoelastic substance into the channel to impede transport of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic devices comprises a gate, a channel, and an obstruction. The gate comprises at least one chamber whose volume increases with fluid pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size. The obstruction controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on the fluid pressure in the gate. The obstruction induces at most a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with the low pressure state of the gate, and at least a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with the high pressure state of the gate.